The doom of Lydgate and Rosamond marriage results in the lacking of understanding between the two. From the first moment they met there has been miscommunication between the two- eg. Lydgate did not want to get married right away, he wanted to wait until he was financial secure. Rosamond wanted to get married right away to a man that was not born and raised within the Middlemarch community, someone who would show her the world. Due to Rosamond’s insistence and plead Lydgate decided to get married right away. The major misunderstanding comes from both side, neither understands what the other wants.

Lydgate views on marriage life are highly wrong. He believes that there is some form of separation between his marriage and his career within the community. Usually, it is the wife who is the reflection of her husband, in this case however Lydgate’s interaction within the community affects Rosamond. Lydgate might believe that wives are supposed to be passive creatures within their husband’s life, but that is where he is wrong. If a husband is successful it results in a higher status for the wife in society, more money results in more luxury.     

Lydgate ignores the importance of interaction and network with his fellow doctors. In understanding is resistance when he comes to politics he does not realize that diplomacy is important in his field of work. There is no separation between social relations and colleagues especially when it comes to a community such as Middlemarch. Due to this there is a general mistrust between Lydgate and those in the community, although he has treated some difficult cases it does not clear the mistrust. He does not recognize that the community is an active body that cannot be treated as a passive body if he wants to succeed as a doctor.

Rosamond’s expectation and ambition contribute to the unhappiness in her marriage. Rosamond expected that due to Lydgate’s connection she would be able to finally leave Middlemarch, what she did not expect/understand was that Lydgate does not depend on his connections for help. Rosamond wants to live the lifestyle of those in London, going to parties, meet the duchess etc. This ambition for more in her life and the restriction placed on her because she is female that cannot have a proper education forces her to use her charms to get where she wants in life. In this, she uses marriage as a way for her to force her ambition, her goals and dreams on her husband. In general, I wonder if they really loved each other at one point. Did Rosamond just viewed Lydgate as a means to an end or was there more to it. her ambition and the fact that her husband does not compile to her wishes leaves Rosamond frustrated and miserable.The way in which they both treat each other does not show any affection between the two he treats her as a doormat and she views him as someone to be manipulated to get her further in life.  

Keulesia Webley-Sewell